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Responses to yesterday's letter denouncing force-feedback as a fad

By IGN Staff

You know, I never really thought of the force-feedback thing being another Interact vest. That guy (in yesterday's letter) had a good point. Remember that terrible Octagon of Shame that was out a few years back? The Activator or something... Yikes! I hate to sound negative, but I think it'll be another failed gimmick that few games will actually support. That is until they really get it down.

I tend to agree with the person who said force-feedback was just a fad. It would only be in the controller, so it wouldn't actually give you the sensation of being punched or kicked in a fighting game (unless they punched your hands or something). And isn't that the reason we play fighting games anyway? So we can pick fights without suffering grievous bodily harm? It makes even less sense in other genres like RPGs or puzzle games. I, for one, would much rather spend around $20 on a normal second controller by Sony or ASCII than around $90 for one with a few gimmicks.

Those strap on jobbies (referred to in yesterday's letter) cannot be compared to the Sony analogue pad with force-feedback. The effect will be more subtle - but deliberately programmed (that vibrating vest thing simply rumbled the low frequency sounds from the game), so that in gameplay terms it will enhance interactivity, and you won't have this hideously expensive, bulky add-on that makes you look ridiculous when you use it. But the future of force-feedback will be with those snazzy new PC controllers that don't just vibrate but actually push the stick simulating various in-game effects. This will enormously enhance the immersive experience.

I couldn't believe it when I read the letter yesterday. Comparing force-feedback to that stupid backpack thing is like comparing the wheel to a car - they may do similar things but in no way are they comparable. Force-feedback is like sound: it raises the senses and brings out our natural instincts even more. When you get shot in a game the sound of the explosion coming off your left (if you have stereo) can greatly effect how one plays a game. Now imagine you FELT that explosion... This is one controller that will certainly raise the bar.